Projo — Narragansett council wants survey to look for encroachment on shoreline rights of way

A surfer walks down to the water’s edge at the end of Conant Avenue in Narragansett. Courtesy of Christopher Stedman Parmenter

Nov 2, 2021

By Antonia Noori Farzan — NARRAGANSETT — Narragansett is looking at having a professional surveyor determine whether private property owners are encroaching on public rights of way at several popular surfing and fishing destinations.

The Town Council voted 4 to 1 on Monday night to have the town manager get quotes for conducting surveys at Pilgrim Avenue and Conant Avenue, near the Point Judith Lighthouse, and Hazard Avenue, Newton Avenue and Bass Rock Road, directly south of the Pier. 

"It’s my understanding that it’s the town’s duty to manage these access points for public access," said Councilman Patrick Murray, who introduced the motion with Councilwoman Ewa Dzwierzynski. "It’s been kind of frittered away and ignored."

Throughout Rhode Island, it's common for public pathways that lead to the water to get narrower over time, and for parking spaces to gradually disappear. In Narragansett, disputes over parking in waterfront neighborhoods have brought the issue to the forefront.  

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